Umakanta Nayak vs Geological Survey Of India

Headnote AI-drafted · Editorially reviewed

The applicant, a Survey Officer in the Geological Survey of India posted at SU: Odisha, ER, Bhubaneswar for over 32 years, challenged his transfer order dated 10.09.2024 to RHQ, CR, Nagpur on the grounds that it violated the transfer policy and failed to take into account his health ailments and personal difficulties. He sought quashing of the transfer order and urged humanitarian consideration, having submitted a representation for deferment citing ill health.

The respondents contended that the transfer was in accordance with the GSI Transfer & Placement Policy, 2016, which mandates transfer of Group-A Gazetted Officers after a maximum tenure of two spells (4-5 years each) at a single location, and that the applicant had remained at a single station for an exceptionally long period of over 32 years without any transfer. The Collegium had considered functional requirements, deployment status, posting history, and suitable replacement before issuing the transfer order. A deferment was already granted till 08.11.2024 but further deferment was not found tenable.

The Tribunal, while issuing notice on the Original Application, granted interim status quo in respect of the applicant's posting, which continued to operate till the date of the order. The matter was reserved and pronounced on 26.09.2025, with the order addressing the legality of the impugned transfer vis-à-vis the applicable transfer policy and the applicant's personal circumstances.

Catchwords: transfer order transfer policy Geological Survey of India service law public interest transfer natural justice health grounds humanitarian consideration tenure policy Group-A Gazetted Officer status quo Central Administrative Tribunal